In 1838 Kan Kurita began studying at an early age before attending Shokokan (clan school) where he also helped in compiling Dai Nihonshi (History of Great Japan). Of a very serious disposition he refused to enter clan politics and devoted himself entirely to the pursuit of learning.
Kan Kurita was a teacher at Kodokan (clan school) before he entered the bureau of history and information in the Ministry of Education in 1873. He was the instructor of national history and legislation at Tokyo University in 1892.